IGCSE Edexcel Physics 2 hours 19 questions

Exam Questions

Components in Series
& Parallel Circuits
Current in Series & Parallel / Voltage in Series & Parallel / Resistors in Series / IV
Graphs / Electrical Components

Easy (5 questions) /26 Scan here to return to the course

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Medium (8 questions) /79

Hard (6 questions) /44

Total Marks /149

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Easy Questions
1 (a) The diagram shows an I−V graph for an electrical component.

The component which produces this variation of current with potential difference is

A. a fixed resistor
B. a filament lamp
C. a diode
D. a fuse
(1 mark)

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(b) The diagram shows an I−V graph for an electrical component.

The component which produces this variation of current with potential difference is

A. a fixed resistor
B. a filament lamp
C. a diode
D. a fuse
(1 mark)

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(c) The diagram shows an I−V graph for an electrical component.

The component which produces this variation of current with potential difference is

A. a fixed resistor
B. a filament lamp
C. a diode
D. a fuse
(1 mark)

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2 (a) The diagram shows a lighting circuit in a house.

Component X is

A. a double insulated wire

B. an earth connection
C. a fuse
D. a switch
(1 mark)

(b) Most lamps at home have their own switch.

This is because the lamps are connected

A. in parallel
B. in series
C. to a fuse
D. to an earth wire
(1 mark)

(c) Place ticks next to the two advantages of series circuits.

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 They are more difficult to install, repair and maintain

They are the easiest type of circuit to install, repair and maintain

They do not overheat easily because they share the same current

Adding too many lamps may cause overheating

(2 marks)

(d) Place ticks next to the two advantages of parallel circuits.

If one lamp fails, other lamps will still function

If one lamp fails, other lamps will not function

Different lamps can have different brightnesses and not affect the others

Not all lamps have the same brightness

(2 marks)

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3 (a) The diagram shows a series circuit.

Which of the following shows the correct relationship between the readings on
ammeters A1, A2 and A3?

A. A 1 = A2 + A3
B. A 1 = A2 = A3
C. A 1 = A2 − A3
D. A 1 = A3 − A2
(1 mark)

(b) Complete the sentences to explain how a fuse protects a circuit.

larger than smaller than melts falls off starts stops overheating
overexciting

larger than
When the current becomes ........................... the value of the fuse, the fuse wire
melts
........................... . This ........................... the flow of current in the circuit.
stops

This is an important safety feature in a circuit to prevent the wires in the circuit from
overheating
........................... .

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 (3 marks)

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4 (a) A student investigates how the resistance of a thermistor varies with temperature.

Draw the circuit symbol for a thermistor.

(1 mark)

(b) A light-dependent resistor (LDR) can be used as a sensor to detect light intensity.

Sketch a graph on the axes below to show how the resistance of an LDR varies as the
light intensity changes.

(3 marks)

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5 (a) A student has some LEDs connected in a circuit. They emit light of different colours.

When an LED is on it shows that

A. there must be alternating current in the circuit

B. there must be a current in the circuit
C. there is a fault in the LED
D. a fuse has blown
(1 mark)

(b) The diagram shows a circuit containing five LEDs connected in parallel.

What is the current at X?

A. 0.17 A
B. 0.26 A
C. 0.43 A
D. 1.38 A
(1 mark)

(c) (i) State the equation linking power, current and voltage. P=IV

(ii) Calculate the power of the LEDs. The voltage of the battery is 12 V.

Power = ....................
16.56 W

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 (3 marks)

(d) (i) State the equation linking power, energy transferred and time. P=E/t

(ii) Calculate the amount of energy transferred by the LEDs in 300 seconds.

4980
Energy transferred = .......................... J

P=E/t E=P*t 300s*16.6W=4980J

(4 marks)

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Medium Questions
1 (a) A student is given an unknown electrical component, X. He uses a circuit to investigate
how the current in X varies with the voltage across it.

Which of these circuits is correct for his investigation?

(1 mark)

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(b) This diagram shows another circuit the student is investigating.

(i) Complete the table by putting a tick (✓) in the box if the lamp is lit and a cross (х) in the
box if the lamp is not lit.

S1 position S2 position Lamp lit (✓ or х)

W X

W Y

Z X

Z Y

(ii) Suggest where this circuit would be useful in a house.

corridor, room which has two doors, stairs

(3 marks)

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2 (a) A student uses voltmeter and ammeter readings to find the resistance at different
temperatures. One set of readings is show below.

temperature voltmeter ammeter

in °C reading in V reading in mA

80 13.2 2.60

(i) State the equation linking voltage, current and resistance. V=IR

(ii) Show that the resistance of the thermistor at 80 °C is about 5000 Ω.

R=V/I R=13.2/0.0026 R=5077

(4 marks)

(b) A student uses voltmeter and ammeter readings to find the resistance at different
temperatures for two different components, A and B.

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The graphs show the results.

Compare the results for component A and component B.

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The largest rate of change is at a higher temperature

Resistance will be high when the temperature is low in graph A

Graph A represents a thermistor

Resistance will be high when the temperature is low in graph A

Both relationships are non-linear

(5 marks)

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3 (a) An LED needs a minimum voltage to make it emit light.

The student investigates this minimum voltage using the circuit shown.

The student uses a voltmeter to measure the voltage across the LED.

Add this voltmeter to the circuit diagram.

(2 marks)

(b) The student gradually increases the voltage across the LED and records the minimum
voltage at which the LED emits light. The results for some different LEDs are shown in
the table.

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 Colour of light from LED Minimum voltage in V

Red 1.7

Blue 3.6

Yellow 2.1

Orange 2.0

Green 3.0

Plot the results of the student's investigation on the grid.

4.0

min voltage
3.0

2.0

1.0

Red Blue Yellow Orange Green

colour of light from LED

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 (4 marks)

(c) The student concludes:

Evaluate the student's conclusion.

The colour directly relates to voltage

The wavelength of the visible light directly relates to the colour

(2 marks)

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4 (a) The diagram shows part of an electric circuit.

Complete the circuit diagram by adding:

a resistor in series with the lamp and battery

a second lamp in parallel with the first lamp

a voltmeter that measures the voltage across the resistor

an ammeter that measures the current in the resistor

(4 marks)

(b) The current in a resistor is measured for different voltages.

The table shows the results.

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 Voltage in V Current in A

1.0 0.10

2.5 0.25

3.0 0.30

4.5 0.40

5.0 0.50

6.0 0.60

(i) Plot a graph of this data on the grid.

(ii) Circle the anomalous point on the graph.

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 (iii) Draw a line of best fit.

0.7

0.6

0.5

0.4
current

0.3

0.2

0.1

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
voltage

(6 marks)

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(c) (i) State the equation linking voltage current and resistance. V=IR
(ii) Use your graph to find a value for the resistance of the resistor.

10
resistance = ............................................... Ω

R=V/I R=6/0.6

(3 marks)

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5 (a) The graph shows how current and voltage vary for a filament lamp.

Draw a circuit diagram to show how you should connect the equipment needed to make
the measurements needed to plot the graph.

(4 marks)

(b) The resistance of the filament lamp changes as the voltage is increased.

(i) How can you tell this from the graph?

Line is curved / not a straight line

(ii) Explain these changes in resistance.

The lamp heats up. There is chance of electrons to collide more. Resistance inside the lamp will
increase

(4 marks)

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6 (a) A student investigates how the resistance of a piece of wire changes with voltage across
the wire.

The student connects an ammeter, a voltmeter, a battery, a variable resistor and the
wire in an electrical circuit.

(i) Complete the diagram to show how the student should connect the circuit.

(ii) Describe what she should do to obtain a set of results for her investigation.

Current measured through the wire. Voltage measured across the wire. Range of
values (of I and V obtained) by repeating for different voltages.

(6 marks)

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(b) The student keeps the temperature of the wire constant during the investigation.

Suggest why she does this.

The resistance of the wire changes with temperature

(1 mark)

(c) When the student looks at her results, she notices that the voltage across the wire is
directly proportion to the current in it.

(i) State the relationship linking voltage, current and resistance. V=IR
(ii) The student calculates the resistance and then plots a graph of resistance against
voltage.

On the axes, sketch the shape of her graph.

(2 marks)

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7 (a) A student plans to measure the resistance of a piece of wire. He sets up this circuit and
finds that it does not work.

Identify the three errors in the student’s circuit.

(3 marks)

(b) The student uses a correct circuit to obtain these results.

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Current in amps Voltage in volts

0.00 0.0

0.24 1.5

0.71 4.5

0.89 6.0

1.00 7.5

1.10 9.0

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 Plot a graph to show the relationship between current and voltage for the wire.

1.1
1.0

0.9

0.8
0.7

0.6
current
0.5

0.4

0.3

0.2
0.1

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
voltage

(5 marks)

(c) (i) Find the current when the voltage is 2.5 V.

(ii) Suggest why the line on the graph curves.

Resistance of the wire was not constant

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 (2 marks)

(d) Describe what else the student should do to find an accurate value for the resistance of
the piece of wire at a constant temperature.

Include in the circuit an instrument to measure temperature

This means the temperature of the wire can be kept constant

Use V = IR

Obtain additional points

(4 marks)

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8 (a) A student is given an unknown electrical component, X. He uses a circuit to investigate
how the current in X varies with the voltage across it.

The table shows the student’s results.

Voltage across X (V) Current in X (A)

0 0

3.0 0.5

14.5 2.3

19.5 2.9

25.0 3.2

29.5 3.3

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Plot a graph of these results and draw a curve of best fit.

3.5

3.0

2.5

2.0

1.5

1.0

0.5

5 10 15 20 25 30 35

(4 marks)

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(b) (i) State the equation linking voltage, current and resistance. V=IR

(ii) Calculate the resistance of component X when the voltage across it is 10.0 V.

Give the unit.

Resistance = ................................
6.3 unit ......................
ohms

10/1.6

(5 marks)

(c) (i) Describe the pattern shown by the graph from part (a).

(ii) Suggest a conclusion for the investigation

As voltage increases, current increases. Therefore, current is proportional to

voltage. At high voltages the change in current is smaller.

Resistance is constant at first. Resistance is not constant. Because the

component gets hotter. Component X is a filament lamp

(5 marks)

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Hard Questions
1 A student uses a circuit that contains an ammeter, a battery, a light emitting diode (LED)
and a voltmeter.

He notices there is no current in the diode when the battery is reversed.

He replaces the battery with an a.c. supply.

Which graph shows how the current in the diode varies with time?

(1 mark)

2 The student shines light on the LDR through a circular hole in a piece of black card, as
shown in the diagram.

The student repeats the experiment using cards with holes of different diameter. The
distance from the card to the LDR is always 5 cm.

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The student varies the current in the circuit by adjusting the variable resistor.

The independent variable in this experiment is:

A. the brightness of the light source

B. the diameter of the hole
C. the distance from the card to the LDR
D. the resistance of the LDR
(1 mark)

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3 (a) A student uses this apparatus to investigate how the resistance of a thermistor changes
with temperature.

(i) Draw a circuit diagram for this investigation.

(ii) The student wants to measure the voltage across the thermistor.

On your diagram, add a symbol to show how she should connect the voltmeter to the
circuit.

(iii) Explain how the student can use the apparatus to investigate how the resistance of
the thermistor varies with temperature between 0 °C and 100 °C.

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 Take measurements of current at any fixed / known temperature
Take measurements of voltage at any fixed / known temperature
Measure the temperature (using a thermometer)
Vary the temperature and take new readings;
Allow the temperature (of the thermistor) to equalise between readings
(8 marks)

(b) The graph shows the student’s results.

Two students discuss the line of best fit for this graph. One student thinks it is the curved
line A. The other student thinks that it is the straight line B.

(i) Suggest which line is better, giving a reason for your choice.
The straight line has four points above and four points below the line
(ii) Suggest why measuring the resistance of the thermistor at 10 °C could help to decide
which line is better.
The new point could be nearer to one line than the other

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 (2 marks)

(c) These graphs show the voltage (V) changes with the current (I) for three components.

The components are a metal wire at a constant temperature, a diode and a filament
lamp.

Which letter represents the correct graph for each component?

(i) Metal wire at constant temperature L

(ii) Diode K

(iii) Filament lamp J

(3 marks)

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4 (a) A student uses the following apparatus to investigate how the resistance of a thermistor
changes with temperature.

Explain why the student places the thermistor in a beaker of water.

The beaker of water acts like a water bath

The beaker of water provides more gradual heat / cooling;

(2 marks)

(b) The table shows the student's results.

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 Temperature Resistance

in °C in Ω

0 10 000

10 7 060

20 5 000

40 2 670

60 2 350

80 1 080

100 609

(i) Plot a graph of these results on the grid.

(ii) Circle the anomalous point on the graph.

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 (iii) Draw a curve of best fit.

10000

8000

resistance
6000

4000

2000

20 40 60 80 100
temp

(6 marks)

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(c) (i) Why is the maximum temperature in the student’s investigation limited to 100°C?
Water boils at 100 °C
(ii) Suggest how the student obtains readings below room temperature.

Adding ice to water

(2 marks)

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5 (a) The resistance of a Light Dependent Resistor (LDR) is affected by the amount of light that
shines on it.

A student investigates this relationship using the circuit shown.

(i) The student uses a voltmeter to measure the voltage across the LDR.

Add this voltmeter to the circuit diagram.

(ii) Explain how the student can work out the resistance of the LDR using this circuit.

Measure the current and use the formula R=V/I

(4 marks)

(b) The student shines light on the LDR through a circular hole in a piece of black card, as
shown in the diagram. The student repeats the experiment using cards with holes of

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 different diameter. The distance from the card to the LDR is always 5 cm. The student
varies the current in the circuit by adjusting the variable resistor.

The photograph shows how the student places a metal ruler to measure the diameter of
one of the holes.

Suggest how the student can improve this technique while still using the same ruler.

Move the ruler nearer the hole

(1 mark)

(c) The table shows the student’s results.

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Diameter of hole in mm Resistance of LDR in Ω

8 1050

10 890

15 640

20 490

23 430

30 340

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 (i) Plot the student’s results on the grid.

1200

resistance ldr
1000

800

600

400

200

5 10 15 20 25 30 35
Diameter of the hole
(ii) Draw a curve of best fit on the graph.

(iii) Describe the relationship between the resistance of the LDR and the diameter of the
hole.

Resistance and diameter are inversely proportional to each other / have an

inverse relationship

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 (7 marks)

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6 (a) A student investigates the current in a thermistor at different temperatures using the
circuit shown in the diagram.

The student uses a voltmeter to check that the voltage across the thermistor stays
constant throughout the investigation.

(i) Add this voltmeter to the circuit diagram.

(ii) Give a reason for keeping the voltage across the thermistor constant. The voltage is a
controlled variable
(iii) Give a reason for including the variable resistor in the circuit.

To control the (amount of) current in the circuit

(4 marks)

(b) The student increases the temperature of the thermistor and records the current and

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temperature readings. The graph shows the student's results.

The student plans the use his circuit to make an electronic thermometer, He notices that
both the scales on the graph go up to 100.

He thinks that the current reading, measured in mA, gives a direct indication of the
temperature measured in °C. He labels the ammeter's scale 'temperature in °C'.

Give three reasons why the student's electronic thermometer is unlikely to show the
correct temperature.

You may use information from the circuit and the graph to support your answer.

The thermometer works when the temperature is high and the

current value almost matches the temperature. The voltage (in
the thermometer) will not be constant. The line / graph is curved

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 (3 marks)

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